Baas earns spot in U.S. Senior Open
John Baas, a teaching pro at Craft Farms Resort in Gulf Shores, fired a 69 at Arrowhead Country Club in Montgomery on Monday, then won a sudden-death playoff to qualify for the U.S. Senior Open July 6-9 at Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson, Kan.
Baas defeated Frank Johnson of Prattville in the playoff to claim the only berth from a field of 37 players at the Montgomery sectional qualifier.
Baas and Johnson matched pars on the first three holes of the playoff before Baas clinched his first spot in a USGA event with a short birdie putt on the fourth playoff hole.
Interestingly, Baas' son, Rian, advanced through local qualifying for the U.S. Open, but failed to advance through sectional qualifying. Rian is an assistant pro at Kiva Dunes.